UK experts reveal low-cost ways to heat homes amid rising energy bills

How households are adapting to rising costs

With energy bills in the UK expected to jump by £276 annually in January, households and consumer advocates are emphasizing small, practical changes to reduce heating costs. The increase, driven by global energy market fluctuations, marks the largest rise in four years and adds pressure to budgets already stretched by inflation.

Experts from Which?, a consumer advocacy group, recommend wearing multiple thin layers, using electric blankets, and consuming warm meals like stews to maintain body heat. These methods are positioned as immediate, low-cost alternatives to central heating, which remains unaffordable for many, particularly those in fuel poverty.

Sealing gaps and optimizing heat retention

Simple adjustments to homes can significantly reduce heat loss. Closing doors to unused rooms, using thick curtains, and placing draught excluders under doors are among the most effective measures. According to advice shared by BBC News, households can also use bubble wrap to insulate windows or place foil behind radiators to reflect heat back into rooms.

Data cited by Cornwall Insight, a consultancy, suggests that up to 35% of heat from radiators is lost through uninsulated walls. For renters or those unable to make structural changes, temporary fixes like rugs and thermal leggings can make indoor spaces more comfortable without incurring additional costs.

Financial and health risks for vulnerable groups

The rising cost of energy disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including the elderly, low-income families, and individuals with chronic health conditions. National Energy Action, a charity, estimates that 9.4% of households in England were living in fuel poverty in 2025, meaning they spend more than 10% of their income on heating.

Emily Jeremy, project manager at Manchester South Central Foodbank, noted that many families are forced to choose between heating their homes and purchasing food. Health organizations like the British Heart Foundation and NHS Scotland warn that cold indoor temperatures can exacerbate conditions like arthritis and respiratory illnesses, particularly in older adults.

Government support programs, such as the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment, remain available, but charities like Christians Against Poverty and StepChange report that awareness and accessibility remain barriers for many eligible households.

Broader context of the energy crisis

This bill increase follows earlier reporting on the UK’s energy crisis, which highlighted a 16% rise in energy costs driven by global supply disruptions and low European gas reserves. The crisis has reignited debates about long-term energy security and the sustainability of current welfare policies, including the state pension triple lock, which some argue diverts funds from broader support programs.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For founders and operators in the energy, home goods, or consumer sectors, this story underscores a growing demand for affordable, low-tech solutions to energy efficiency. The emphasis on simple products—like thermal wear, draught excluders, and radiator foil—suggests opportunities for startups to innovate in cost-effective home comfort solutions, particularly those targeting renters or low-income households.

The financial strain on vulnerable groups also highlights the need for scalable social impact models, such as subscription-based energy-saving kits or partnerships with charities to distribute heat-retaining products. For investors, the rising energy costs may accelerate interest in alternative heating technologies or smart home devices that optimize energy use without requiring major infrastructure changes.

Related on Lazyfounder

• UK energy bills set for biggest rise in four years as crisis looms
• National Energy Action
• UK government considers scrapping state pension triple lock